United dig deep to pick up narrow win

United maintained their 100% home record thanks to a solid defensive showing and in the process did the double over a spirited Rayners Lane side.

Woodley started well, looking to keep the pressure on leaders Penn & Tylers Green. Jake Nicholls shot over before Greg Beckett had an effort blocked after picking up a Josh Drew pass.

The visitors first chance fell to Will Able. Showing some nice skill on the left side of the box he fired a powerful shot that was turned behind by Alex Reed in the home goal.

United were dominating possession but unable to create any clear cut chances. Danny Horscroft prodded over a Teddy Thomas cross, Dave Morgan shot tamely at Przemek Mierzwa before Horscroft shot into the side netting.

Half an hour in saw the away side's Simeon Owen manage to wriggle free from his marker before firing a low shot from a tight angle on the left that was saved by Reed. Five minutes later Rayners Lane went ahead when captain Julian Smith hooked in from close range.

The visitors lead didn't last long; Woodley were back level four minutes before the break when a right wing corner came off a yellow shirt and beat Mierzwa.

The final chance of the half saw United go ahead and once again it came courtesy of a corner from the right. Only managing to clear to Josh Drew, the winger saw his low drive nestle into the right corner.

HT Woodley United 2-1 Rayners Lane

Rayners Lane started the second half well. This was a different team to the one Woodley demolished on the opening day of the season. Winger Tyrone Godwin miss-kicked from twelve yards with just Reed to beat.

Woodley made a double change on fifty second minutes when Thomas and Morgan made way for Carl Prestidge and Abdul Kamara.

With the rain lashing down, United were getting bogged down in their own half. Jake Nicholls, almost playing as a third centre back, was making numerous interceptions and tackles.

Owen blazed over after being teed up by Denzil Ossai-Manual as Lane desperately tried to get back into the game.

Mid way through the half Woodley made their final change. Liam Wilson came on for Drew. This saw Beckett move out to the right with Wilson playing through the middle.

With fifteen minutes to go, the away side had a lucky escape; overplaying from the back they gave up possession but were bailed out by Mierzwa who saved from Wilson.

As conditions worsened, United centre back Idris Kamara headed clear at the back post with Lane players waiting to pounce whilst a curling shot from Smith was comfortable for Reed.

Woodley ended the half well; Beckett got to a Nicholls through-ball before Mierzwa, only to see his shot slow enough on the heavy pitch to allow a defender to get back and clear.

The game's final chance fell to Prestidge who saw his shot from the right beaten out.

FT Woodley United 2-1 Rayners Lane